Tampa Yankees’ Practice Shift Due to Sewage Leak
The Yankees managed to avoid a disaster during their pregame workout on Sunday, despite needing to relocate across the street.
A clogged drain at Steinbrenner Field led to a sewage leak, resulting in the team moving to the player development facility for morning practice while cleanup efforts were underway. This was all happening just before their game against the Mets.
The leak happened Saturday afternoon, affecting areas near the home clubhouse. Fortunately, no significant damage occurred to the main areas that house players’ gear and uniforms.
“It was pretty bad in some spots,” manager Aaron Boone mentioned after the team’s 6-4 loss to the Mets. “Thankfully, it didn’t make its way into the clubhouse area, or we would have had to deal with pulling up carpets, lockers, and equipment. That was a relief.”
Boone noted, “There are some delicate areas we need to address. I suppose things will get better over the next few days. For now, I think we’re fine. After the game, everyone can shower and just do what they have to wrap up the day.”
On Saturday, it was reported that carpets seemed to be ripped up in the coaches’ room, and a strong odor lingered as crews worked tirelessly to clean the area. By Sunday morning, the offensive smell had largely dissipated thanks to ongoing cleanup operations.
“I was pretty impressed with how effectively they cleaned and sanitized everything,” Boone stated. “A lot of people put in a tremendous amount of effort overnight and this morning, and I appreciate that. We might still have some long-term issues to fix, but overall, I think we’re in a good position moving forward.”
In terms of player performance, Lewis Gil made his debut in the spring, striking out four batters in two-thirds of an inning but allowing a home run to Jared Young. His fastball averaged 94.5 mph, peaking at 96.6 mph. Despite that, Gil expressed confidence in returning to his previous form, which saw him averaging 96.6 mph in 2024.
“I feel like I’m on the right track,” Gill shared through an interpreter. “The work we’ve been doing has been really beneficial, guiding me in the right direction. I’m confident I can get back to that level in 2024—God willing, of course.”
The lineup for Sunday featured Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger, while Ben Rice and Giancarlo Stanton were the last two regulars yet to see action in the Grapefruit League this season.
Rice had a rough start to camp due to a stiff neck but is expected to make his debut against the Pirates on Monday. Stanton, on the other hand, is taking a slower approach to ensure he stays fresh for the long haul.
Coach Boone is eyeing one of the off days for Stanton to make his first appearance, possibly on March 2nd. During this interim, the 36-year-old designated hitter will focus on training and batting practice. On Sunday morning, he was seen hitting fly balls in right field while his teammates participated in batting practice.
